Learn Spanish (Latin America): El cantante está desafinado; es más, el parlante no funciona. - The singer is out of tune; in fact, the speaker doesn't work.

El cantante está desafinado; es más, el parlante no funciona.

The singer is out of tune; in fact, the speaker doesn't work.

Breakdown of El cantante está desafinado; es más, el parlante no funciona.

no, not

estar

to be (location/state)

el cantante

the singer

funcionar

to work / to function (machines, devices)

Questions & Answers about El cantante está desafinado; es más, el parlante no funciona.

How does es más change the meaning compared to just using y (and)?

Es más translates to 'in fact,' 'moreover,' or 'what's more.' Instead of just adding a neutral second fact, it escalates the complaint. It signals that the second point (el parlante no funciona) makes the situation even worse or more extreme than the first point alone.

Why is the verb funcionar used here for 'doesn't work' instead of trabajar?

In Spanish, trabajar is used for people doing labor or having a job. When you want to say that a machine, electronic device, or system is broken or 'doesn't work,' you must use funcionar (to function).

Why do we use está instead of es with desafinado?

We use estar here because being out of tune (desafinado) is describing a current, temporary state during this specific performance. If you used ser (es desafinado), you would be implying that being out of tune is a permanent, defining characteristic of the singer!

What is the literal breakdown of the word desafinado?

It comes from the verb afinar, which means 'to tune' (like a musical instrument or voice). The prefix des- acts like the English 'un-' or 'out of,' creating the opposite meaning. Therefore, desafinado literally means 'detuned' or 'out of tune.'